Hyponatremia with venlafaxine.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a patient with hyponatremia associated with venlafaxine therapy.


METHODS
A 92-year old white woman who was receiving venlafaxine for management of depression was found to have hyponatremia. A detailed workup confirmed the diagnosis of syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH). A temporal relationship between initiation of venlafaxine therapy and the onset of hyponatremia indicated it as the probable cause. Venlafaxine was discontinued, and hyponatremia resolved with a few weeks.


CONCLUSIONS
Hyponatremia has been reported with selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). Serotonin has been reported to elevate concentrations of vasopressin in animal models. Venlafaxine is a potent inhibitor of serotonin reuptake and may have adverse effects similar to those of SSRIs.


CONCLUSIONS
We report a case of hyponatremia probably caused by venlafaxine. Awareness of this potential problem would be helpful to clinicians and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of hyponatremia.
Masood
G R
GR
Long Term Care Division, Clifton Springs Hospital and Clinic, NY, USA.
Karki
S D
SD
Patterson
W R
WR
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003511:Cyclohexanols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003863:Depression / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride
D018687:Antidepressive Agents, Second-Generation; D003511:Cyclohexanols; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D000069470:Venlafaxine Hydrochloride